Rubicon Models
Rubicon Models => Showcase & Gallery => Topic started by: ripley on January 17, 2017, 11:21:00 am
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I like my hatches open and for the most part filled with crew figures . Most of Rubicons and Warlords newer kits come with separate hatches , the earlier ones didn't . So how do you open up a molded closed hatch ? Well I'll show you how I do it
(https://s29.postimg.org/xtanqi7w3/IMG_20161205_131323.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/xtanqi7w3/)
You just drill very small holes around the inside edge of the hatch , cut along the dotted line with a new # 11 xacto blade .Using a file ,square up the hatch and using a very narrow chisel blade , trim off the remainder molded hatch rim . Remember the hatch itself will be larger than the hole you make so go easy . Using plastic sheet , cut hatch cover , I just cut a square a couple of mm larger than the hole and sand it till it fits . Add what ever internal hatch locks you desire , on the IV I just added a cross bar and a bolt . Not correct but looks the part .
(https://s28.postimg.org/aj0crwo1l/Panzer_IV_crew_hatches.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/aj0crwo1l/)
You can use the same method to open the turret side hatches , then cut the kit doors in half , sand a little thinner , and add details as you see fit
(https://s29.postimg.org/6mj4b8ddf/IMG_20161128_131355.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/6mj4b8ddf/)
BA Panzer III wip It looks hard, but if you take it slow, its actually quite easy
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I've opened up a turret side hatch on a Warlord Panzer III. Not sure it's quite straight, but it adds a lot to the model. It's much easier (I find) doing this with Warlord kits than Rubicon kits - Rubicon plastic is tough!
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Yes Rubicon's plastic is very hard , not as easy to work with that's for sure . But their T-34 kits have almost a guide for you to cut out the drivers hatch .
(https://s24.postimg.org/r3ao723f5/SU_85_c.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/r3ao723f5/)
Really easy to cut the hole and then add the kit hatch than it is to remove a molded on hatch and try to make one ::) . Actually I find cutting out and making the new hatch has become quite easy . Its getting the hatch interior details right that's the tricky part
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Restaring the thread under a new name . Please feel free to add any tips you have to improve any of the plastic / resin kits out there . Finally got back on track working on my KV kit and realized it needed some improved detail on the hatch interiors . This is what the hatch interior looks like ( Tankograd KV book )
(https://s9.postimg.org/ygp2t1j4b/1_how_the_hatch_looks.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/ygp2t1j4b/)
(https://s9.postimg.org/4os0dvr63/2_what_you_get.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/4os0dvr63/)
What you get is no detail on the hull hatch and upside down detail on the turret hatches ( never mind the KV I hatch is way to big in diameter ) . So what to do ... well get some 2 part resin ,
(https://s9.postimg.org/p8wucf4d7/3_two_part_resin.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/p8wucf4d7/)
And some modelling clay . Press the hatch into the clay ( make 4 or 5 copies as this method is hit and miss ) Add paper thin layer of resin , excess from another casting job
(https://s9.postimg.org/6hux1y4kb/4_modelling_clay.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/6hux1y4kb/)
Let cure , remove unwanted hatch details , cut resin to size , super glue
(https://s9.postimg.org/vnvv933d7/5_finished_hatches.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/vnvv933d7/)
Didn't turn out too bad if I say so myself , now how do I go about fixing that oversized KV I hatch ?
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Great thread, sharing the collective wisdom of many years of kitbashing will make for a wonderfully useful resource :)
(Apologies, came back to this today & discovered I'd put it in the wrong place before - I'll put it down to a surfeit of Christmas cheer!)
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Yes many years of kit bashing ;D , can't really say that no plastic kits weren't harmed in developing these skills , must of trashed 100s over the years , still kick myself for scrapping my 1/48 Bandi :'( . Think I got the KV I hatch figured but its a bit more complicated ... 1st cast a few copies of hatch covers . Trim outer bolt ring off to get hatch . Then drill / cut / sand hatch cover out to get bolt ring . Then , hopefully ad ring to turret , add internal latches to hatch , add hatch to tank .
(https://s9.postimg.org/e9i47je4r/KV_I.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/e9i47je4r/)
Still a WIP but coming along nicely . Finely figured out a good place to use that extra head-crewman you get in the BA metal Russian tank crew blister
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great post thx for sharing
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Yes many years of kit bashing ;D , can't really say that no plastic kits weren't harmed in developing these skills , must of trashed 100s over the years...
Good to hear it's not just me who's done that. There's that moment when you realise that a project hasn't worked out. Or that no amount of stowage is going to conceal the mess you've just made...
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Yes many years of kit bashing ;D , can't really say that no plastic kits weren't harmed in developing these skills , must of trashed 100s over the years...
Good to hear it's not just me who's done that. There's that moment when you realise that a project hasn't worked out. Or that no amount of stowage is going to conceal the mess you've just made...
Yup, me too....